Category Sourcing Manager: Fresh Products (Proteins and Produce)

Site Address : 6500 W. 51st Street, Chicago, IL 60638

Who We Are 
Conexus Food Solutions is a leader in the Asian food service industry, bringing a diverse range of ethnic cuisines, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai, to the table. Our corporate headquarters in Chicago is where we house our fully integrated food processing, manufacturing, logistics, and worldwide supply chain services all under one roof. With distribution centers spanning the US, over 2 million square feet of warehousing space, and a fleet of more than 1,000 trucks, we're the go-to when it comes to reliable delivery services. 

At Conexus Food Solutions, we believe that teamwork and collaboration are the keys to success. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards of integrity and honesty in everything we do and building strong relationships with our clients. We're looking for individuals who share our values and are committed to excellence. Join our team and contribute to our culture of collaboration and integrity while growing your own skills and expertise. Together, we'll deliver high-quality products and exceptional service to our clients and achieve great things. 

Position Summary:
The Category Manager for Fresh Proteins and Produce is a critical role within our Strategic Sourcing team, responsible for overseeing and optimizing the procurement of fresh poultry, beef, pork and a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables. This position requires an expert understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within these categories, including commodity market volatility, seasonality, food safety, and sustainability. The ideal candidate will have a trading mentality, bringing a proactive, risk-aware, and opportunistic approach to sourcing. They will be a highly skilled negotiator and a proactive problem-solver who can develop and execute strategic sourcing plans to ensure supply continuity, manage risk, and deliver exceptional value.

Key Responsibilities:

• Category Strategy & Market Expertise:
  • Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies for fresh proteins (beef, pork, poultry) and fresh produce that align with business goals for quality, cost, and risk management.
  • Continuously monitor and analyze global and domestic commodity markets, futures pricing, and seasonal trends for assigned categories to inform strategic decisions and identify commitment opportunities.
  • Act as the subject matter expert for fresh proteins and produce, providing timely market insights and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
• Supplier & Supply Chain Management:
  • Lead the entire sourcing lifecycle, from identifying new suppliers to managing ongoing relationships.
  • Build and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with farmers, growers, processors, and distributors to ensure a reliable and high-quality supply chain.
  • Negotiate contracts that address key risks specific to fresh products, including terms for quality standards, food safety compliance, and supply chain flexibility.
  • Develop and manage supplier performance metrics (KPIs) to drive continuous improvement in quality, service, and cost.
• Cost Management & Risk Mitigation:
  • Proactively identify and implement cost-saving initiatives and value-add opportunities within the categories.
  • Develop and execute risk mitigation strategies to address market volatility, natural disasters, and other potential disruptions to the fresh supply chain. This includes a trader's mindset for making forward-looking decisions.
  • Manage and forecast category spend, providing detailed analysis and reporting on savings and budget performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance:
  • Collaborate closely with internal teams, including Quality Assurance, Operations, R&D, and Marketing, to ensure product specifications and sourcing strategies meet business needs.
  • Ensure all sourcing activities and suppliers adhere to strict food safety regulations (e.g., USDA, FDA), sustainability standards, and company-specific ethical sourcing policies.
  • Support new product development initiatives by sourcing and vetting suppliers for innovative ingredients and product lines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Food Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of strategic sourcing or category management experience, with a focus on fresh food products.
• Deep expertise in sourcing fresh proteins (poultry, beef, pork) and/or fresh produce.
• Demonstrated experience in negotiating complex contracts and managing supplier relationships within the food industry.
• Proven track record of delivering significant cost savings and implementing effective risk management strategies.
• Experience in or exposure to commodity trading, futures markets, or financial analysis is highly valued.
• Strong trading mentality characterized by a proactive, data-driven, and opportunistic approach to market fluctuations.
• In-depth knowledge of agricultural supply chains, commodity markets, and food industry regulations.
• Exceptional negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to build consensus and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret market data and financial information to drive strategic decisions.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in procurement software and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, ERP systems).

Salary Range: 70K - 100K

Benefits Offered:

• Medical Insurance – Comprehensive coverage to help you and your family stay healthy.
• Dental Insurance – Preventive care and treatments to keep your smile bright.
• Vision Insurance – Coverage for eye exams, glasses, and contacts.
• Pet Insurance – Help ensure your furry friends are covered for unexpected medical expenses.
• Life Insurance – Financial protection for your loved ones in the event of the unexpected.
• 401(k) Plan – Save for your future with access to a retirement savings plan.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match: Save for your future and grow your retirement savings with company contributions.

Sponsorship for Employment

Conexus Food Solutions does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status). To be considered for permanent employment, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.